BYGA’s Owambe Collection is infused with West Africa’s rich, vibrant, and diverse culture.  

‘Owambe’ derives from the Yoruba expression ‘owan be’ meaning the presence of a celebration or party. Owambes are usually grandiose affairs and mark occasions, such as weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, naming ceremonies and funerals etc. At an owambe, a matching family cloth ‘aso ebi’ is typically worn by the celebrant, their family members, and close friends; it is a symbol of unity, solidarity, and support. The style of ‘aso ebi’ may be uniform in design or tailored to match individual tastes and preferences.  

Growing up in London within a Nigerian household, I was immersed in West African culture and tradition. From an early age, I fell in love with the patterns and embroidered fabrics of the ‘aso ebi’ worn at owambes. I enjoyed the build-up of excitement that came from having your outfit made and the buzz of attending the actual event. I was always (and still am) enthralled by the impressive array of attire on display; it is a collection of creative flair and originality fused with traditional style and contemporary influences.  

This deep-rooted fascination led me on a creative journey which inspired the creation of the BYGA Owambe Collection. I wanted to encapsulate the joyous feeling that accompanies marking a milestone or special occasion, in West African style, with all the trimmings.

BYGA's Owambe Collection incorporates the aso ebi concept with weaving techniques taken from West African (Ghana) basket making. It allows you to mark the occasion (similar to aso ebi) by choosing your Owambe frame (i.e., Luxe, Bella or Chic) and ribbon(s) which are then woven together to create your own bespoke set of earrings; forming the perfect statement pieces to complement your outfit and have you effortlessly styled.

If you want to mark THE occasion, do it with the BYGA Owambe Collection.